438 BOOK OF THE BLACK BASS. 



the Bass, and it can not be made more attractive for hand- 

 trolling by the addition of feathers, braid, etc. 



Abliey & Imbrie's New Fluted Spoon, No. 4; J. H. 

 Mann's Perfect Revolving, No. 20, Oval, No. 16, Kidney, 

 No. 6}, and Egg, No. 3J; and L. S. Hill's Improved 

 Spoon, Nos. 1J and 2, are all excellent trolling-baits for 

 hand-lines. 



The ordinary original tin or brass spoon, with single 

 hook soldered on, is about as good as any of the later 

 inventions. A single hook is certainly preferable to the 

 groups of two or three, usually attached to spoon-baits; 

 the latter often being crushed or broken by the jaws of a 

 large fish. 



Small spoons are more successful than large ones, for 

 Black Bass. In the absence of a spoon-bait, the floor of 

 the mouth of the Pickerel, cut into the semblance of a fish, 

 is tough, white and glistening, and is a good substitute; a 

 similar strip, cut from the belly of the Dog Fish, also 

 answers a good purpose. One or two swivels should 

 always be used with trolling-bait ; a sinker is seldom nec- 

 essary. 



With this simple outfit, early in the season, before the 

 aquatic weeds and grasses are fully grown, this mode of 

 fishing is quite successful. The method of procedure is 

 as follows: 



The angler sits in the stern of the boat, and, while the 

 oarsman rows at a moderate rate of speed along and over 

 the feeding-ground, he runs off forty to sixty yards 

 of line; the spoon, revolving gracefully beneath the sur- 

 face, proves an effective lure. A violent jerk on the line 

 announces the fact that an unfortunate Bass has " hooked 

 himself; " often he will leap into the air, vainly endeavor- 



